Consumers and farmers: Japan should not ratify TPP11!

March 10, 2018

Following the signing of the revised Trans-Pacific Partnership free-trade pact, or TPP11, by Japan and 10 other original member countries in Chile, the Consumers Union of Japan (CUJ) on March 9 issued a statement opposing the Abe government’s intent to steamroll through the ratification of the TPP11.

The CUJ, a pioneer in Japan’s consumer movement, in its statement pointed out that the TPP11, formally known as the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP), opens the door for the former TPP member U.S. to rejoin the multilateral free-trade framework by freezing items regarding U.S. interests. The CUJ criticized the CPTPP for its dangerous nature that tramples on people’s right to live peacefully. The organization expressed its determination to work even harder to block the ratification of the TPP11.

On the previous day, consumers, farmers, and civil activists assembled in front of the Prime Minister’s Office to protest against Japan’s participation in the revised TPP.

Former Agriculture Minister Yamada Masahiko, one of the organizers of this action, said, “Due to strong public opposition, the Trump administration decided to withdraw and the original TPP was almost scrapped. However, the Abe Cabinet desperately worked and succeeded in reviving the TPP with the agreement of the remaining 11 member countries.” Yamada said that the slightly modified TPP will bring about negative impacts on Japanese people in every field, such as municipal services and food safety.

Japanese Communist Party Dietmembers Kami Tomoko and Tamura Takaaki together with lawmakers from the Constitutional Democratic Party of Japan and the Social Democratic Party attended the rally.

JCP Kami gave a speech in solidarity and expressed her determination to work with other opposition parties to push the Abe government to not go ahead with the TPP11.